First Community Planting Day for Ōtākaro Orchard

Christchurch’s urban food hub Ōtākaro Orchard will mark a
significant milestone with its first community planting day
on Saturday, 5 August.

Project co-ordinator Peter
Wells says the time is now right for tree planting and mulch
spreading and he is urging everyone to join in.

“Thanks to all the donations and support received, we
can now get the diggers in to excavate all the rubble from
the site, bring in soil, compost and mulch and begin to
plant trees, shrubs, vegetables and herbs.”

Representatives from Matapopore will bless the site at
10.00am on Saturday 5 August. The community working bee is
planned for 10.00am to 2.00pm at the site on 227 Cambridge
Terrace.

“For those who want to plant trees, we
will be running a special briefing at 10.30am,” Peter
Wells says.

People are being asked to wear closed-in
shoes or gumboots, and if possible to bring their own
shovels and gloves if they would like to get hands-on.

Trees and bricks are also available for individual or
business naming rights.

“Donations of $250 or more
will secure your name on a brick. Donations of $1000 or more
get your name or logo on a tree.”

Lunch and juice,
water, tea and coffee will also be provided. Parking will be
available on Cambridge Terrace from Colombo St, or on
Kilmore Street.

The Ōtākaro Orchard project is led by
the Food Resilience Network, a collaboration of over 30
organisations and 150 people working together under the
moniker Edible Canterbury to catalyse a strong local food
economy in Canterbury. They have been granted the lease of
the $3 million site at 227 Cambridge Terrace, next to the
former PGC building site in the Avon River Precinct, by
Ōtākaro Limited and are fundraising $2 million to
construct the edible park, cafe and local food information
centre. The project receives no taxpayer or ratepayer
funding.

The project has three parts:

An Edible
Park featuring a heritage orchard, multiple herb and
vegetable beds showcasing a variety of growing techniques,
space for educational workshops and an amphitheatre for
public gatherings and events.

A Local Food Information
Centre and Cafe housed in what is envisioned to be
Christchurch's most regenerative building.

A Dome which
will serve as an indoor food production and classroom
space.

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